Peterson indicted in 3rd wife's death

May 7, 2009 (WLS) -- Authorities say former Bolingbrook police sergeant Drew Peterson is being held on $20 million bond and faces two counts of murder in his third wife's death.

Illinois State Police Captain Carl Dobrich says Peterson was processed and transferred to the Will County Adult Detention Facility in Joliet.

VIDEO: Peterson indicted in 3rd wife's death
VIDEO: Savio, Peterson families react
ABC7 talks to Nick Savio, brother of Kathleen Savio
ABC7 talks to Pam Bosco, spokesperson for Stacy Peterson's family
ABC7 talks to Sharon Bychowski, a neighbor of Drew Peterson

Dobrich says officials have tracked more than 1100 leads in Savio's death and the disappearance Stacy Peterson, Drew Peterson's missing fourth wife.

According to Will County state's attorney's office, former Bolingbrook police sergeant Drew Peterson has been indicted in the death of Kathleen Savio.

The 55-year-old Peterson was arrested late Thursday afternoon during a traffic stop in Bolingbrook.

Kathleen Savio was found dead in a dry bath tub in her Bolingbrook home in 2004. Her body was exhumed in November of 2007 and her death was ruled a homicide.

"In essence, what you're basically allowing the victim of a violent crime to do is to testify from the grave," Dobrich said during a news conference on Thursday evening.

Peterson's attorney says Peterson maintains that he is innocent and was transported on Thursday night from the police station to the Will County jail. Legally they say they have started to build their own case.

"We think it is not applicable in our case and until we see this specific statements that they are attempting to use, you know, we'll have to determine whether, in fact, the law is actually constitutional or not," said Andrew P. Abood, attorney for Drew Peterson.

Authorities say they will now focus on Stacy Peterson since she is still missing and on Thursday night authorities address that case as well.

"That investigation still foremost on our mind and we believe we have some significant things on follow up on," said James Glasgow, Will County State's attorney.

Peterson will be in court on Friday at 1:30 p.m. for his arraignment.

When asked if this was the biggest case of his life, Glasgow answered yes and added that if Peterson is convicted he will spend 60 years in prison.

Savio, Peterson families react

Many of Stacy's friends and other interested parties were camped outside of Drew Peterson's house, knowing the grand jury and the charges against Peterson were possible.

Now that he is in custody, a lot of people as well as Kathleen Savio's family say they are thrilled.

State police investigators removed items of possible evidence from Drew Peterson's home on Thursday evening. It is far from their first visit to the home but it is the first with Peterson in custody and charged with murder.

The charges have thrilled the family of Kathleen Savio.

"I think this is step one. Step two would be a conviction. That would be complete justice," said Nick Savio, Kathleen's brother.

Peterson is also suspected in the disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy. Many of her friends and neighbors have searched for her.

"Eventually, I'm sure there will be charges for Stacy," said Cassandra Cales, Stacy Peterson's sister.

"Now that he is put away now we can concentrate on finding Stacy and maybe bring her home," said Ray Taylor, Stacy Peterson search coordinator.

Savio's family has already a wrongful death lawsuit against Peterson. They watched Peterson do seemingly endless interviews in the media.

"I think that bothers them. The smugness, I suppose. Just acting as if he is a celebrity," said Martin Glink, Savio family attorney.

Kathleen Savio's family is expressing concerns for the children who were removed from the home shortly after the arrest on Thursday afternoon. In the meantime, they are also saying that they are concerned for Stacy Peterson's family because while they have a measure of closure, closure for Stacy's family is a long ways off.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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